8 must-see natural sights in New Zealand

5 July 2017

Have researchers really found the Pink and White Terraces? Maybe, maybe not… but there's still plenty to see on these incredible islands

By Lee Mason

For history-conscious New Zealand fans, June brought some exciting news: researchers claimed to have pinpointed the location of the Pink and White Terraces, a famous natural attraction that was lost in an eruption around 130 years ago. Not everyone agrees with their findings, but we're hoping they are right. And to celebrate, we're running down eight other natural must-sees, from fjords to glow worms…

Waitomo Caves

If you want to catch a glimpse of New Zealand's famous glow worms, Waitomo is the place. It's a fully-fledged tourist attraction, but that doesn't diminish the spectacle one bit. We recommend the Ruakuri cave tour, which begins with a dramatic descent down a spiral walkway. Braver visitors can also go on tubing expeditions along the cave's underground river.

White Island

This active volcano off the west coast of the North Island is a truly unearthly experience. Its rocky landscape is dotted with steaming vents, hot streams, red and yellow mineral deposits and abandoned mining equipment. And that's before you've even peered into the main crater. Boat and helicopter tours are available.

Lake McClaren's 'glow worm canyon'

For a more active and less touristy glow worm experience, head to Waimarino Adventure Park for a twilight kayaking expedition. Tour leaders take you out onto Lake McLaren, and lead you to a little-known canyon where you float between two vertical, glow worm-covered cliffs. It's harder work than Waitomo, but utterly magical.

Champagne Pool

You can hardly more for geothermal pools on North Island, but this is one of the most remarkable. A steady stream of carbon dioxide causes the water to bubble like a glass of fizz – and that, combined with pool's steaming surface and unusual orange rim, make it one of New Zealand's most surprising and surreal sights. Leave your trunks at home though, because the water here is around 75C.

Milford Sound

In truth, Milford Sound could count for two or three items – among other things, it's home to the soaring Mitre Peak and the crashing Bowen and Stirling falls. For most visitors, though, the sound's attractions come as one big package. The best way of taking it all in is a boat tour, which will give you panoramic views of the fjord and get you closer to some of its highlights.

Oamaru's blue penguins

The world's smallest penguins – and the cutest, if you ask us – live right here in New Zealand, and the South Island town of Oamaru is the best place to see them. Its resident colony goes out fishing during the day, but every evening they return from the ocean and scurry up a ramp to their nesting site. A large grandstand allows you to get fantastic views of the little guys as they pass.

Pancake Rocks and Blowholes

This small headland on South Island's west coast is packed with fascinating limestone formations – but it's most famous for the lateral lines across the rocks, so straight they look man-made. A series of blowholes add drama, as the sea crashes in and douses unsuspecting tourists with spray. Well-maintained paths weave in and out of the rocks, making it an easy but constantly surprising place to explore.

Tane Mahuta

Geology and wildlife tend to take centre stage in New Zealand, so let's finish up with something a little different. Tane Mahuta ('Lord of the Forest') is a huge Kauri tree, believed to be at least 1,250 years old. Soaring to over 45 metres, and with a five-metre-thick trunk, it is one of the highlights of North Island's Waipoua Forest.

Book it: Several of these attractions – including Waitomo, White Island and Tane Mahuta – appear on our 17-day Discover New Zealand tour. For more choice, check out our full range of New Zealand holidays, including escorted tours and cruises.

Published by Mail Travel, a division of Associated Newspapers Limited, a company registered in England under company number 84121 with a registered office at Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT

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